Strange effect while holding an iPad...

Ok science and tech aficionados, let's see if we can't get to the bottom of this...

I am using an iPad at the moment, due to unforeseen issues with our internet connection at work. I am using our home network from upstairs, in order to interface with the web. Just now, while holding the iPad in one hand, I reached over to the counter, where my cup of tea is resting. As my hand passed over the meter rule that we have screwed to the edge of the counter, I noticed a tingling sensation in the edge of my palm, where the skin met the metal surface of the ruler.

I put down the iPad and repeated the motion, and there was no tingling. I hefted the iPad once again, and sure enough, there was a tingle again when I reached for my steaming beverage. The iPad is currently attached to its charging cable, plugged into an outlet on one of the columns which hold the counter aloft. The sensation only occurs when my hand moves across the metal, and not when my hand merely rests upon it.

So the question is, what's going on?

Sounds like something's not grounded?

reply to post by tracehd1


exactly this, and its the fault of your charger not having a earth pin most likley.

I doubt you are causing any damage to anything including yourself, just wasting a bit of charge power.

If you were to rest the ipad on that metal part instead and touch the ipad and it too, nothing would happen.

Your iPad is obviously Haunted.
Please send it to me "care of Sealing @ATS"
I'll get that ghost out of there.
It may take a couple years.

reply to post by tracehd1


Well, all our electrical outlets are up to code, and have to be in order for us to use our heavy cutting gear and key machines. If they weren't up to spec, several of us would have been thrown across the room by now!

Usually appliances with metal casings have to be grounded (earthed).

Since mobile equipment does not have a constant supply from the grid they have no grounding, so when you charge them you can have leaks in the power supply that can get out of the device via your hands holding it.

If that charger was very high power and the device battery much larger, you might have a painful problem!

reply to post by Biigs


Ah, now... That's exactly right. Also, if I grip the iPad close to the coupling between the iPad and the cable, the effect is stronger.

Well that mystery appears to have been solved! Thanks you guys!

reply to post by sealing


You could call your new company iBless

I expect a cut

reply to post by TrueBrit


Maybe your IPad display is broken,I have a Iphone with a damaged display.I can press a courner of the IPhone and it sturts shaking,Like when hiting the button for mute sound.

reply to post by Tidnabnilims


I thought a good name might have been the 'iCon' corp.

reply to post by Biigs


Already in multiple use

The gold recovery one gave me a chuckle. hoped it might have been linked to a cash for gold thing

Your charger brick has a leak from the AC side to the output. There's generally a class x or y cap from input to output on one of those types of switchers, if it leaks you can get tingling like that.

Them iphones been shocking folk, you hear?

All an Ipad is, is a larger Iphone.

Be careful sunny!

Whipper snappers these days not properly grounding their electrical devices....kicks gravel..

Tidnabnilims
reply to post by sealing

 

You could call your new company iBless

I expect a cut

Brilliant !
.. alright you're in for half

Sounds like your body is being used as a circuit to ground.

As stated above.....facepalm.

Do a search this is happening everywhere, these things can kill.

Answering Plugged-In iPhone Blamed for Killing 23-Year-Old
The phone and charger were purchased at an Apple Store

investorplace.com...

I experienced this with my PowerBook when I went to Peru. When I had it plugged into the socket, it would do the same thing. Didn't happen when I came back to the states though. I believe it is some kind of grounding issue.